Androcles and the Lion (Athens, GA)

“To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect with Androcles and the Lion. All I knew was that they were from Athens. I was shocked and impressed with what I heard! Everyone was throwing out names of artists or bands that they thought Androcles and the Lion sounded like… but the sound that was most prevalent was fearlessness. It takes huge cojones to come into a “dive” bar that you’ve never played in before and throw down a solid set of slow jams and set the place on fire (metaphorically speaking).”-

WeAreTheUpstate.com

Androcles and the Lion formed in August 2010, after songwriters, McKendrick Bearden and Austin Harris, moved to Athens. The pair met while studying music at LaGrange College. To pass the time while working on composition projects the two began writing songs together. Upon graduating from LaGrange and moving to Athens, they were introduced to percussionist, Paul Stevens. In August 2011, the group released their debut EP, “As Far As Blindness Could See.” The album was recorded at Chase Park Transduction in Athens with engineer and producer, Drew Vandenberg. Androcles and the Lion is McKendrick Bearden, Austin Harris, and Paul Stevens.

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“A common complaint among those who follow new rock and pop is that there’s too much good music to take in. An intimate festival like Secret Stages confirms that’s so by emphasizing discovery rather than highlighting a dizzying cavalcade of established artists and newcomers rocketing toward the top. In a convivial atmosphere among eager, open-minded fans, Secret Stages illustrated that what’s bubbling beneath contemporary music’s densely populated surface is worthy of attention, too.”

—The Wall Street Journal

“Secret Stages finds a way to blend every slice of Birmingham life. And doesn’t hesitate to remind you that uplifting something new still manages to honor the past.”

—Uproxx

“If you want to find the unheard sounds of young, Southern musicians, the best place to do it these days is Birmingham’s annual Secret Stages Festival.”

—The Bitter Southerner

“In this age of instant gratification, the concept of a music festival where the main goal is for patrons to discover new bands – rather than see bands they already know and love – is risky to say the least. Yet here we are, in the fifth year of Secret Stages, and it’s going as strong as ever.”

—AL.com

“Secret Stages is already a far, far better music festival than anyone dreamed it might be.”

—Black & White

“…one of the biggest bangs for your buck you’re likely to find anywhere.”

—Chattanooga Pulse

"This festival is one of my favorite regional events. Most of these bands have yet to break out of their respective local scenes…It’s a great chance to wander around and discover a bunch of new music."

—Little Advances

“Secret Stages succeeded in having more depth in regional and national indie acts than the recent Soundland (aka Next Big Nashville) and had the out-of-the-box feel that SXSW had 15-20 years ago.”

—Performer

“Secret Stages is a testament to the vitality of the music landscape.”

—Southern Living

“…one of the most exciting new music festivals in the Southeast”

—The Audiovore

“Despite the lack of marquee headliners, that are used to draw large audiences and boost attendance, Secret Stages continues to be a breath of fresh air in its commitment to local artists and their promotion. This ethic has proven to be effective as more and more people each year choose to attend Secret Stages.”

—The Blue Indian (Macon)

“It would have been anybody’s guess that Birmingham would host the best Indie Festival in the Southeast.”

—The Nashville Bridge

“With so many new or little-known acts coming to town, Secret Stages is shaping up to be Birmingham’s best event of the summer for discovering new music.”

—Weld

“…At so many shows and festivals, the artists play their set and then get out. Not so with Secret Stages. I shook hands and spoke with nearly every act I saw. There’s a personal element to Secret Stages that I really haven’t seen anywhere else.”